Every day is Dependence Day in Connecticut

John J. Ryan, a former Republican state representative, and Joshua Fisher, a Hersam Acorn editor, share their back-and-forth about news going on around Connecticut, among other items of interest.

Ryan: After a long weekend of celebrating our independence, it’s time to return to reality and look at Connecticut’s dependence on its overtaxed residents.

Fisher: This year’s legislative session is finally over — but it took “overtime,” or a Special Session, last week to get it over with. The denouement was inevitable: A bad budget deal with batches of tax increases, bureaucratic fees and bad news for businesses and taxpayers, with huge deficits still unresolved.

Once again, it is everyone in Connecticut except the government class that is being asked to make sacrifices. And the governor’s big transportation improvement plan — something Connecticut needs desperately — was downgraded to patchwork.

Ryan: In a sense, it is probably good news that little legislation has made it’s way out of the State Capitol this year other than the budget fiasco, since long-time observers point out that the less damage our state government does to us, the better.

Fisher: When the governor signed the budget last week, he rattled off a list of other states that hadn’t approved a budget yet; apparently seeking praise for completing one of his most basic tasks. He failed to mention that he once again broke an often-repeated campaign promise that he would not raise taxes. But even Tom Foley could have told you that was going to happen.

Fisher: Part of this should be a reminder to fiscally-minded residents and politicians of Connecticut: The Republican brand is vile in the Nutmeg State. No matter what it once meant to be a Republican, most northeast independents and Democrats think of Southern Republicans’ social message when the GOP is mentioned. So good luck to J.R. Romano, the new chairman of the dwindling Connecticut Republican party. See: “Young new GOP state chair promises ’tenacity’” (CTMirror.org).

Ryan: He’s already raised $200,000 in campaign contributions. Proving that no one’s political career actually dies in Bridgeport; you’re just sometimes sidelined by a prison term.

John J. Ryan is of counsel to the Fairfield County law firm Russo & Assoc., and served 14 years as Darien and Rowayton’s state representative — and has been writing this column for Hersam Acorn even longer. Joshua Fisher was an editor with Hersam Acorn for 12 years. He is now the company’s director of audience development and engagement.